Pub Theology Live

Recorded live at the 2017 Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs, NC. Josh Rockett, Brian McLaren, Michael Camp, Christy Berghoef and Bryan Berghoef - and the live audience - discuss the question: "Church: Is It Worth It Anymore?" Tune in to this fun and probing conversation about the church!

In this episode, we tackle the difficult topics of hypocrisy and abortion, in one issue! We must be crazy. Can one be pro-choice and a Christian? Can you be a Democrat and pro-life? We hit on some of the challenges this issue presents to all folks, and especially people of faith. Also, are all human hypocrites, or is that just reserved especially for church-goers? We discuss! Tune in to Episode 58.

[WARNING: Sexual topics addressed.] It's here! The extra sexy episode - we discuss sex, body image, relationships - all the good stuff. Why is there so much shame around sex in the church? Does abstinence before marriage lead to a happier marriage? Does it set up false expectations and/or incompatibility? How do we create space to talk about these things? How do we educate our children? And is there space in the church for those wrestling with relationships or pursuing or recovering from divorce?

We discuss ways that we enhance our humanity: through wearing glasses, medicine, drugs, steroids, technology and other means. Where we should we draw the line on being able to enhance our humanity? Are there limits? Relatedly, are our machines a part of us in ways we can't imagine doing without? Is a smart phone, for example, an essential extension of who we are? Also, would you chat with a replica of yourself? Would you want your family to?

We discuss how we go about consuming digital media and how we monitor our social media presence and sharing. How much is too much? Are there rules we follow or would encourage others to observe? Also, if we had less privacy, would people behave better? And in the post-show: what are the political boundaries for pastors and churches? We discuss!

Where do you find hope these days? How do you get along with people who are quite different from you? Has Christianity misplaced its emphasis on belief? Is Bryan's beard getting too long? We discuss it all, on Episode 54!

We discuss the implications of referring to Earth as our Mother: does this relate to how we mistreat her body? What can we learn from traditions that practice deep respect toward plants, animals and nature? How do language and theological traditions impact the way we engage with the planet? Can the physical also be spiritual? And if God the Father and Mother Nature had a divorce - who gets custody of Jesus? It's a wild and enlightening conversation with guest host Rev. Shannon Meacham. It's Episode 53 of Pub Theology Live!

We discuss "this whole being resurrected thing" with guest Emma Donohew. Are there multiple ways to understand what happened to Jesus? How do we negotiate traditions that arise elsewhere, such as in another religious tradition, but have found their way into ours? Plus education and its impact on one's religious experience and commitments. Plus, you've heard of Easter egg hunts, how about a beer hunt? Yes, please.

Why do people seem so intent on hurting each other? Why does the church seem like a place this happens often? We discuss spiritual wounds with author Carol Howard Merritt, and poet and guest Tony Plocido stops in as well—it's Episode 51 of Pub Theology Live!

On this auspicious episode we discuss names and their meaning, and what the significance is of various names we ascribe to God. Is God beyond names? Are there many gods? One God? Is God within us? Out there? Everywhere? Nowhere? Tune in to catch some hilarity and honest conversation on life and faith.

We discuss the Prosperity Gospel: is it God's will for each person of faith to be financially prosperous and physically well? Is it possible to practice abundance consciousness without buying into prosperity promises? What role does gratitude play? What does a successful life look like? We discuss it all on this insightful and engaging episode of Pub Theology Live! #ptlive

Episode 48: Come on, Asteroid! by Pub Theology

We discuss communication, language and God: are we getting better at communicating or worse in this social media age? If words sometimes fall short, what does that mean when considering sacred texts? Can you communicate with God beyond language? Also, we discuss Abraham and the three visitors.

We discuss the keys to a good Pub Theology session, plus address the question of cults: what is a cult, and how is it different from any other religious organization or church?

We are joined by guest Candradasa, a Buddhist priest who helps us sort out whether someone can be a Buddhist Christian or a Christian Buddhist. What are the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity? What are the tensions or conflicts? Can someone be both? Also, if someone shot a gun in space, what would happen?

Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss the holiday that is Valentine's Day, and consider this definition of love: “Love is the absolute affirmation of another’s meaning.” We also discuss making big changes in life, and what prompts or gets in the way of such changes. We take a cue from Thomas Merton on the spiritual life as being a matter of keeping awake. And Frank gets involved.

Bryan and Tina welcome Ogun back from his hiatus in the Caribbean. We discuss the our favorite parts of the Super Bowl and "the Gospel according to Lady Gaga" of empowerment, grace, and self-acceptance. That, plus John Shelby Spong's take on true religion: “True religion is not about possessing the truth. No religion does that. It is rather an invitation into a journey that leads one toward the mystery of God. Idolatry is religion pretending that it has all the answers.”

Can we save the world with kindness? We discuss with David Hayward, the Naked Pastor. We also explore whether Jesus was a refugee, and how people of faith should be responding to what appears to be a ban directed toward Muslim refugees and immigrants.

Bryan and Tina welcome Dr. Keisha E McKenzie, program director at Believe Out Loud, to the show. We discuss events of the past weekend, including the religiosity of the Inauguration ceremony and the passion of the women's march on Saturday. We explore how Christians are reacting in different ways to both events and why.

Bryan and Tina welcome pastor Casey Banks to the show, a United Methodist pastor starting a new faith community in Vancouver, WA and recent graduate of Duke Divinity School. She is passionate about creating safe spaces to explore Christian community and spirituality. We chat about what such safe spaces might look like and why they’re needed.